About this trip
This 11-day trip pairs a tour through western Turkey with a cruise through some of the Greek islands, so you get ancient history, thermal springs and balloon-dotted skies on one side and island-hopping by sea on the other.
In Turkey you're guided round Istanbul's big sights, taken through Cappadocia's fairy chimney landscape, walked through the ruins at Ephesus and given time to swim in the thermal pools at Pamukkale. From there you board the Celestyal Olympia for a cruise calling at Patmos, Heraklion, Santorini, Athens and Mykonos, with two half-day guided tours included along the way.
It's a partially guided trip pitched at an easy pace, with private rooms throughout, and works well for families or anyone wanting a mix of structured touring and time to explore the islands independently.
What you'll do
- Guided walk through Istanbul's Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace, plus a Bosphorus cruise
- See Cappadocia's fairy chimneys, home to early Christian communities
- Walk the ancient streets of Ephesus, near the House of Holy Mary
- Swim in Pamukkale's thermal springs
- Sail with Celestyal Olympia to Patmos, Heraklion, Santorini, Athens and Mykonos
- Half-day guided tours of Heraklion and the Acropolis
- Tour groups are kept small and hotels are centrally located, characterful properties rather than large chain hotels
- Flights are used between some destinations to cut down travel time
- Meals are largely at family-owned local restaurants
Worth it if you value seamless logistics and knowledgeable guides. Think twice if you dislike large tour groups in crowded spots like Santorini.
- Guides consistently praised for being informative, punctual, and never missing a beat throughout.
- Three-night Celestyal Discovery cruise included exceptional accommodations, meals, shows, and shore excursions.
- Santorini visit involves herding large groups up narrow village paths at night; cramped and chaotic.
- Company responsive via WhatsApp and flexible with itinerary swaps for solo travellers or overlaps.
Distilled from real traveller reviews on TourRadar — we don't edit out the bad bits.
The same-vibe trips, side by side — price, value per day, and how each is moving. Only we can lay two operators' trips out honestly.
Sorted by fit — never by who paid. Price moves and availability come from our own daily tracking.
Getting there
Opens Trip.com, pre-filled — one-way so you can book your return whenever. Prices & booking shown there.
Where to stay
A night before your tour in Istanbul · 25 Jul – 26 Jul
Booked on their own sites, separate from your tour. We may earn a commission — it never changes your price.
Sort the essentials
Partner offersWe may earn a commission from partner offers. It never changes your price or our ranking.
More trips like this
Ranked on real fit — in case this one isn't quite yours.
Booked with the operator via TourRadar · we may earn a commission.